Florence Nightingale – Pioneer of Nursing!

In honor of National Nurses Week! Florence Nightingale is known as the mother of nursing, but did you know that she was a revolutionary in her time as well? Born into a wealthy family in London, she was expected to marry and be lady of a manor. She had different ideas, and defied society’s expectations when she moved to Germany to study nursing. During her time saving British soldiers in the Crimean War, she managed to cut the death rate by 2/3 by drastically improving sanitation conditions. Queen Victoria awarded Nightingale for her heroism, and she became a world leader in nursing and public health.

Pictures of A Day in the Life of a Nurse in NYC During COVID

These moving pictures depict what day to day life is like for a nurse at a COVID-stricken NYC hospital.

“Many evenings, at seven, Chaplin can hear the cheering and honking, the nightly tribute to the “essential workers” who are keeping the city alive. The sound often makes her tear up with gratitude, but she is wary when she hears platitudes about the “heroic” work of health-care professionals. She doesn’t want to be glorified all of a sudden. “This is what we trained to do,” she says. “This is what we do. That was true a year ago, and it will be true a year from now.””

Department Of Defense Honors Nurses

“We salute all nurses — both military and civilian — who have served and are currently serving our nation and our people,” Esper said during a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday. “Thanks to many of their efforts, we are encouraged to see the situation improving in several of the most impacted areas of the country.”

“This pandemic has made it abundantly clear that nurses have always been and always will be on the front lines of keeping our American communities and our American people safe,” Milley said. “And I want to thank each and every one of them — to include my wife, who is an active nurse — for the sacrifices they endure every single day.”

Celebration of Student Nurses

Today, May 8th, is National Student Nurse Day! We must take today to celebrate all of the young minds studying to become nurses.National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year.

Student Nurses are at the cutting edge of technology, learning the latest life-saving techniques. At the same time, they are practicing skills in programs that have been built upon medical science. Each year, the demand for nurses grows. Now more than ever, the nursing field needs more people dedicated to the field of medicine. Their drive to care, learn, and specialize in nursing will make the difference in the lives of millions of individuals and the families who love them each year. National Student Nurses Day celebrates these students and their achievements.

Encourage the student nurses you know today. They often
become discouraged. If you’re in the nursing profession, offer words of wisdom
and support. Families and friends show your support, too, and let them know how
proud you are of their direction and focus. Use #NationalStudentNurseDay to
share on social media to give a student nurse you know a shout out.

A Nurse’s Prayer

What is a Nurse? by Linda Lee Elrod

She’s such a special person, she’s an angel in disguise,

With tenderness in every touch and caring in her eyes.

She’s the one who’ll sit beside you to talk away your fears,

She’ll soothe your spirit, warm your heart, and wipe away
your tears.

She’ll comfort you, look out for you with true concern and
care,

And when you need a helping hand, you you’ll find her there.

She cares for all her patients with true expertise and
pride,

Her warmth and dedication come from way down deep inside.

A nurse is a professional who goes the extra mile,

What is a nurse? A little bit of heaven with a smile.

National Nurses Day: A Thank You

May 6^th is National Nurses Day! Today is about
raising awareness of all nurse contributions and commitments and to acknowledge
the vital role nurses play in society. Give nurses you know a shout out and
thank them for their hard work, especially during these challenging times.
Today we recognize nurses everywhere and celebrate their dedication to their
patients and their profession. The COVID-19 pandemic is really showcasing how
amazing nurses are. While we really can’t ever thank nurses enough, National Nurses
Day is a prime opportunity to express appreciation for these superheroes of the
worldwide community.

The national celebration of nurses began in 1954 after Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim “Nurse Day.” In 1974, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed that May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, would be “International Nurses Day.” But, it wasn’t until 1982 that National Nurses Day was officially acknowledged in the United States. In February, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors formally acknowledged May 6, 1982 as “National Nurses Day.” President Reagan then signed a proclamation in March of that same year, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for Nurses” to be May 6, 1982. Since then, National Nurses Day has been on May 6 every year.

Nurses are not just healthcare providers, they are teachers,
advocates, caregivers, critical thinkers, and innovators. They do so much more
than just care for individuals; their presence 24/7 has transformed lives.
Nursing is an honorable profession, and nurses are the heart and soul of the
healthcare system. Nursing is a true calling. It’s a physically demanding
position; many nurses cycle through 12-hour shifts on their feet. They give up
holidays with their families and work through nights and weekend. This selflessness
should be celebrated today and every day. On this very special day, appreciate
our nurses and show them how much they mean to the world and society. Happy
National Nurses Day!